Post your digital handouts here BEFORE the day of your tech tip presentation.
OUTLINE
TECH TIP # _ Your name
Name of Technology
What it is
How it works
Pros
Cons
How it can be used in the classroom
Review of other similar technologies
Typewith.me is a collaborative writing tool which allows multiple users to produce a written document together in real time.
Here is an explanatory YouTube video:
How Typewith.me works:
One person logs onto the website and then sends out invitations to their friends through Instant Messaging or Email and then those people can join and start typing. Each contributor has their typing appear in a distinct color so it is known who is adding what. Also on the screen to the side is a chat window so group members can interact.
Pros:
It is not Google docs. (In case one has concerns about Google monopolizing the Internet and gaining excessive power).
It's free
The Time Slider feature allows the teacher to see who made what inputs.
Chat tool enables communication among students
Info is stored on web
Can export your work to other programs to edit and improve
Cons:
Only basic options
Only for making a written document. No Spreadsheets or anything like that.
Uses in Classroom:
Good for group writing assignments
Could be used for students to conduct interviews by inviting the interviewee to the page
If students have their own computers in the room the whole class (up to sixteen?) could help write
Typewith.me competitors:
Google docs:
Google docs has the advantage of a much higher product id which may make it easier to get people interested in using it with you. It also has more sophisticated options for making a written document and it also offers the opportunity to collaborate on other projects such as spreadsheets and PowerPoint type slides. Typewith.me only offers the template for a written document.
Those who prefer simplicity over a plethora of options may want to stick with Typewith.me.
Wikispaces:
Wikispaces also has the advantage of being a more comprehensive system but it seems not to offer the advantage of multiple users being able to see what each other are typing in real time. This deficiency could lead to confusion as students collaborate on a project. Also users must join Wikispaces in order to access the program which may deter some potential users. Typewith.me offers a less intrusive option with a more straightforward platform.
Overall the appeal of Typewith.me seems to be its simplicity.
A collaborative writing tool designed to allow multiple users to compose, view, and edit a document.
How does it work?
It functions very similar to Microsoft Word, however all the data is stored “in the cloud,” and not on any specific hard drive. This allows anyone who is permitted to access the document to manipulate and view it.
Pros:
Easily accessible
Familiar interface
Stored electronically “in the cloud”
Secure
Multiple individuals can edit the document simultaneously
Cons
Issues may arise if you aren’t able to connect to the internet
The website may have troubleshooting issues
Requires a Gmail account to create a document
How it can be used in the classroom?
Students can use Google Docs for group work, collaborative writing projects, and to work with a teacher while at home. Rough drafts may now exist “in the cloud” instead of in the student’s folders. Teachers may monitor student progress as they work through a project. Students no longer need to pass documents through email in order to review and make changes.
Review of other similar technologies
Wikispaces- While a valuable tool, Google Docs allows two people to edit a document simultaneously whereas Wiki spaces runs into issues. Also, the interface may not be as familiar to students as Google Docs. Typewithme- Similar to Wikispaces, Typewithme’s interface may also be unfamiliar to students, although it is far simpler than Wikispaces. Typewithme lacks some of the more in-depth features that Google Docs has.
What is a Wikispace?
A Wikispace is a webpage that can be shared between and edited by a group of people. Because we are already familiar with Wikispaces, I’m going to show you how to use a Wikispace for educators.
How does a Wikispace for educators work?
The teacher, who is the administrator of the Wiki, has the rights to lock certain pages so that students may not make changes to it or they may even restrict viewing/editing privileges to one or a group of students. The Wikispaces may be set to private so that only the class may see the Wikispace. Teachers can even request an upgrade to Wikispaces for K-12 educators, which are free and without advertisements.
Pros
Secure
Organized
Easy to use
Can take place of class
Cons
Only one person can edit at a time, so if a group member doesn’t save or get out of the “edit” section, no one can make changes.
Students may post inappropriate content
Must have internet and g-mail account in order to use Wikispace (this is not the case for the Wikispace for educators upgrade).
How it can be used in the classroom
This can be used for brainstorming, group projects and papers. Also, a Wikispace can be used for online classes or classes that don’t meet often, such as those that meet once a week or less.
Review of other similar technologies
Google docs is similar to wikispaces as users can share and edit a document online.
Editme is very similar to wikispace, but it costs money to use.
TECH TIP # 4 Svetlana Gómez http://wordpress.com/
Wordpress.com is a free open source application that allows you to create a blog in which you can write about anything you like and is connected to a global community.
Here is a sample video:
How wordpress.com works:
First you have to sign up for an account and then you can start blogging in seconds. Then, you publish your post and can get feedback from other bloggers.
Pros:
It´s free and easy to use.
You have total control over your blog, be creative, customize, track comments, and more.
You have access to many posts around the world.
It saves your posts automatically.
Spam mail is blocked. Cons:
It has a full feature dashboard that, at first, may look too complicated.
You have to create an account in order to start a blog, as opposed to other writing sites where you don´t need to create an account. Wordpress.com in the classroom:Students can be engaged by either following the teacher´s blog where he/she can post all the information for the class and also, the teacher can make students create their own blog, so they can do homework, like exercises, summaries, and collaborative project online. In addition, students can read and comment on a couple of other students to give suggestions or expand their knowledge on the given topic or assignment. In this way, the students can use their creativity as they customize their blog and more likely, they would have to think critically before posting their work and by giving feedback to other student´s blog, they will clarify and understand better the concepts taught in class.
Wordpress.com and similar products: www.blogger.com
It seems to be simpler and more straightforward because it doesn´t have as many features as wordpress.com. I guess it will depend on the assignment and your audience tech skills to decide which one you want to use. www.wikispaces.com
You have to keep saving your work and only one member can make changes at a time. If someones erases something by mistake, only the teacher can fix it.
Wordpress.com can make learning fun, by giving students the freedom to customize their blog as they wish and by interacting with other students to come to a better understanding on the subject.
Twitter Rachel Knoll & Laura Fettrow
1) What is twitter?
“Twitter is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest information about what you find interesting. Simply find the public streams you find most compelling and follow the conversations.”-Twitter.com/about.Basically, Twitter is a simple form of Facebook so it is a social networking and microblogging site for users across the globe.
2) How Twitter Works:
To tweet and become part of the twitter network users simply:
1) Enter a valid email account
2) Create a username and password
3) Search Twitter for interests
4) Find and follow friends, family, favorite celebrities, sports teams, news
networks and more!
Pros:
Cons:
It’s FREE!
Tweets are restricted to 140 characters (shorter than a text message)
Global connections with professionals in your field of study ie. Authors
Cannot reply directly to Tweets like you can with Facebook comments.
Famous/celebrity profiles are verified so you’re not following fakes.
Groups cannot be created
Privacy settings protect your Tweets so they are not public
If using as a classroom tool whoever students are following cannot be monitored.
Text message updates and smart phone apps
How much time is wasted with mobile updates?
Homework assignments could be posted or grade updates Tweeted ie. Test grades have been posted on D2L
How much time is too much time spent Tweeting?
3) How can Twitter be used in the classroom?
Keep students informed on homework assignments, grades, or even intersting facts.
Have students follow a news or scholarly source ie. CNN or MSNBC as opposed to reading the newspaper.
4) Similar Technologies:
Tumblr: blogging site that allows sharing of photos
Facebook: social networking site that allows users to make posts, create groups, share photos and videos
Flickr: yahoo based photo sharing website.
What is Bubbl.us???
When created, the goal of Bubbl.us was to create a simple and easy to learn tool to help people organize their ideas in a manner that was easy to understand and made more sense to them. The organizers of the site tried to avoid the things that annoyed people about other similar sites and applications, such as too many buttons, and too much time to learn how to use it. Bubbl.us is a simple and easy to understand site that gives one free reign to develop brainstorming bubbles for anything at all. It can be used easily in a classroom setting with easy means to add others to files and share ideas together in a single document.
How it works:
Here is a video that describes the inner workings of bubbl.us.
You start with a central bubble. To add thoughts to that one idea you click the bottom icon on the bubble and you can a new idea. This process can be done again and again and you can drag the bubbles any which way you want. If you decide that a bubble you already used is better suited elsewhere, you can drag it to another central idea and it will like itself up to that idea. If you want to delete a bubble, you place the cursor over the bubble and soon after an icon will appear with options for you to choose. The whole diagram can be dragged around and placed where you want to. You can export the file wherever you chose, and you can even print it out. To save you just click the icon on the right and save it as you choose. The document can be added to and changed by whoever you have chosen to share the document with, which makes it ideal for teachers to use in a classroom.
Pros:
-Easy to use
-Simple to understand
-Allows multiple people to work on a document
-Assessable by any processor or computer
-Can be easily added to other documents
-Teachers can see for themselves what the students are adding to their assignment
Cons:
-Can only have a 3 documents in saved before having to pay for the site
-People cannot work at the same time on the document
How it can be used in the classroom:
This site is extremely useful in a classroom. All the time teachers, especially English, are asking students to make thought bubbles to brainstorm ideas for a story or a research paper. This site allows someone to put their thoughts down in a clear, easy, and presentable manner. What really makes this useful in a class is that a group can work together on a single document at a time. Although you cannot all work on the document at the same time for fear of work not being saved correctly, the site allows students to put their thoughts into the open at any time they think of them. It gives free reign to students to think and work for themselves on ideas in a fun and easy way. Also it allows for easy access to the students work at home so they can work on it and add to it as they please.
Some of the competitors to bubble.us: Mindmeister.com-The site is relatively the same as bubbl.us. There are larger tabs for creating documents, importing, sharing, etc. Just like bubbl you have to register and you can only create 3 documents/maps at a time, and if you pay for a subscription you can get a larger plan. To add other people to your document or to share it with others you have to subscribe for a plan that costs around $10. You can download an app and use it on your android or smart phone. Overall, the features are the same.
The Brain-This is very high tech website. To gain access you have to download the program for free. It’s all digital and high tech. It’s also very entertaining to watch. To create ideas off of the center bubble, you draw and create lines. Unlike bubbl.us or mindmeister, you don’t click add tab. Everything is done more in a manual style with the mouse. It’s very easy to use and very fun too.
Tech Tip 7 Rebekah Moore
Mywebspiration.com
Webspiration.com
What it is:
Webspiration allows students to work individually or collaboratively to create diagrams and easily organize information and convert it to outline form. It allows writing and visual thinking to occur on-line with the assistance of graphics, hyperlinks, and different formatting options.
How it works:
You can start with a main idea, create branches out to supporting ideas, make categories, and draw connections in a web-like format. It includes features allowing you to format your diagram in different ways, you can insert images relating to your topics and customize diagrams around your ideas. Here is a video of how it works.
Visual learners benefit from the ability to use images and draw lines connecting ideas.
Easy way to organize information.
Ability to collaborate and send messages.
Teachers can post assignments to an assignment folder for student access.
Documents created in webspiration can be downloaded to google docs or Microsoft word
Saves multiple times as you make changes so you can access go back to former versions
Automatically turns diagrams into outlines
Cons
It costs money: 1 year costs $110.00 and 30 accounts for a year costs $300.00.
Can’t write in paragraph or essay form like in Microsoft word or google docs, but that is not the purpose of the tool.
There is no application developed yet for the ipad.
How it can be used in the classroom
Webspiration can be used in class for students to organize information and learning’s on their own or in groups. They can submit their work on the website so this tool can easily be used for assignments outside of class. The teacher can give feedback and send messages to the whole class.
Both of these are diagramming tools that do similar things as webspiration in organizing information on-line.
TECH TIP 8: Katie Merkel Technology: zamzar.com What it is
At www.zamzar.com you can convert files from one format to another. The types of files able to be converted using Zamzar include: typed works, E-Books, photos, videos, and songs.
Steps:
1) You go to http://www.zamzar.com/.
2) Assuming you are using the site for free, click on Browse and select a file or click on URL under “Step 1.”
File:
3) Select the file you wish to convert.
4) Click on the drop arrow under “Step 2” and select a file type.
5) Type in an e-mail address of the recipient (this can be yours or it can belong to someone who needs to access the information contained in the file) in the space
provided under “Step 3.” (If you send it to someone other than yourself, make sure in advance that they understand what Zamzar is and why they will be receiving an
e-mail from them.)
6) Click the button which reads “Convert” under “Step 4.”
7) A message box will pop up. Review it and, if you are satisfied, click “OK.”
8) If you sent it to someone else, you are done. If you sent it to yourself, login to your e-mail account.
9) Open the e-mail from “Zamzar Conversions.”
10) Find the link to your file and click on it. (You will be taken to a Zamzar page.)
11) Click on the green button reading “Download Now.”
12) Save or download the converted file.
URL:
3) Type in or past the URL in the space provided under “Step 1.”
4) Click on the drop arrow under “Step 2” and select a file type.
5) Type in an e-mail address (this can be yours or it can belong to someone who needs to access the information contained in the file) in the space provided under
“Step 3.” (If you send it to someone other than yourself, make sure in advance that they understand what Zamzar is and why they will be receiving an e-mail from
them.)
6) Click the button which reads “Convert” under “Step 4.”
7) A message box will pop up. Review it and, if you are satisfied, click “OK.”
8) If you sent it to someone else, you are done. If you sent it to yourself, login to your e-mail account.
9) Open the e-mail from “Zamzar Conversions.”
10) Find the link to your file and click on it. (You will be taken to a Zamzar page.)
11) Click on the green button reading “Download Now.”
12) Save or download the converted file (BennettVS1).
Pros:
The basic package is free.
Converting files is easy.
Converting files takes very little effort on the part of the user.
It facilitates transferring files from one person to another.
Cons:
If you are not a member, your converted file will only be available for one day. After that, Zamzar deletes it.
One has to subscribe, which means pay, for additional benefits (n.p. ZAMZAR: Free online file conversion).
How it can be used in the classroom
In order to bring class material to your students through technology, you can have your students make a video in which each student teaches one module to the video’s audience. This assignment teaches: subject matter, computer skills, and “public” speaking. The students can use Zamzar to convert online music to formats which are compatible with school equipment.
If one of your students is sick and you do a listening exercise; have a guest speaker come; or do a music demonstration, you can record that part of the class with just about any listening device; convert it using Zamzar; and e-mail it to your student so that he/she does not miss out on that class activity.
Review of other similar technologies
Thus far in class, we have not learned about any other forms of technology that are similar to Zamzar; however, there are a few websites similar to Zamzar which we did not cover in class. Below I have listed three of them.
Tiny Media Converter: a website which allows conversion between visual and auditory media. It is free to use, but must be downloaded (n.p., Tiny Media Converter).
Media Converter: a website which allows conversion between one file type and another; however, users who are not subscribers are limited to five conversions a day (n.p., Media Converter).
youconvertit: a website which allows conversion between one file type and another. Unlike Media Converter and Zamzar, youconvertit gives storage space to “registered users,” users who are registered with the site, but do not pay to use it (n.p., youconvertit).
Zamzar and youconverit are incredibly similar websites. They both have the ability to convert audio, video, read/write files, and images and are free and easy to use. Due to the fact that these web services are so similar, it is difficult to say which one is better.
Weebly is a website which allows a person to create his own website for almost any purpose: school, education, business, or personal.
Here is a video which gives a quick overview.
. How it works
Sign up for a free account on the website and then chose a name for the website and decide which domain you want to use. The only free domain is the one from weebly.
To create and organize your website is as easy as dragging and dropping elements into the space provided
Chose the layout you want
Follow the instructions
2 Versions: Free and Pro
Pro Version has some additional aspects
Password protected
Choose your own domain
Embed videos
Cost money
Pros
Easy to use
Step by step instructions-support
There is an educator weebly which allows you create a classroom page and keep it protected.
Cons
Cannot get everything with the free version.
Cannot pick your own domain without paying a fee.
A little trouble
How it can be used in the classroom
Class website with projects and links to other resources.
Sites.google is a website builder that is an easy way to make information quickly accessible and up to date. Several people can work together and edit the webpage or it can be a solo project. Controlled access is up to the owner of the website ( could be for yourself, the public, or a group of people). This is a good use for teachers especially if students already have a Google account.
How does it work, you ask?
Well, here are some easy to follow videos that will introduce you to the program:
First, a google account must be made or logged into. Then go to "Create a new site" tab under the app of google sites.
Establish a name for your site and choose a layout. Begin!!
From here it can become as simple or as difficult as you would like.
Several pull down tabs can be created as shown in the video and renaming a page is as simple as choosing to edit your website.
Many things can be added to your website such as pictures, presentations, polls, announcements, word of the day, a video clip and much more.
Just remember whenever you want to add or change something on your site, click the edit button. To insert items go to the top left corner and click on "Insert."
Other setting tools can be found under the pull down tab of "sitemap" and then continue to "manage pages."
Feel free to explore and look around for a long time because there is a lot to see and do.
PROS:
Do not have to know webpage coding (HTML/Java)
Simple to figure out
Free
Storage online
Make as many as want
Private or Public (must type the entire web address in to find)
Template's make it easy to build a webpage to what you desire (structure/gadgets)
Choose who can edit your website
Add pictures/links/ documents – anything at all
Helpful links provided if problems arise
CONS:
Need email address
Internet access
Limited space for storage
Take a while to set up and completely figure out
Unsupported files (i.e. extensions)
Difficult to find website in a search not as easy as .com webpage
If Google is down can’t get to the website you created
Must update frequently
How would Google.sites be used in a classroom setting?
Easily accessible information and updates will allow students to regularly check important updates, such as: schedule, homework, important papers, videos, presentations, etc.
Students can create their own webpage and share it with the teacher as a project or collaborate with other students
This could allow students to view what they missed if they were absent or if school had been cancelled (what must be done before next class period)
Allow for students to become familiar with this type of technology
This website allows for students to quickly access links/tools that the instructor wants the students to get to rather than searching the internet
Easy way to communicate with students without social/privacy boundaries being breached
Parents are able to access website and be kept up to date on what is happening daily in class
Visit this link which provides educators with helpful hints of how to incorporate this technology into their classroom:
Weebly.com – extremely easy to use drag/drop feature website builder
Webs.com – website builder leaning more toward business aspect and only goes down to two sub-levels and is only available in English
Webnode.com – choose to create a personal website (rather than business or e-commerce) Has several different languages available. Template options limited.
Jimdo.com – easy to use and can upgrade to a more professional website program. Only supports two-levels, but has 11 languages available.
Money Needed
1&1
iPage
intuit.com – free for first 30 days and $7.99 a month after
Tech Tip #11: Maggie Phenicie
myfakewall.com
What It Is:
My fake wall allows its users to create fake Facebook (often parody or caricature accounts) profile pages or "walls."
Here's a YouTube video that shows how to create a MyFakeWall profile.
How It Works:
MyFakeWall users must first create an account. Then they can create a page "as" another person, usually a book/movie/TV character or historical figure. The profile they create mimics a single user's Facebook page or "wall."
Pros:
-Easy to use
-Great guided help throughout site
-Free
-Users always able to edit
-Changes save automatically
-All FakeWalls public
-Not required to be a Facebook user to use it
-Facebook look without potential hazards of using Facebook
Cons:
-Editing process tedious
-No privacy settings
-Can only create a single user's wall--no option for NewsFeed/Homepage or user's personal interests as in real Facebook
-No way to link among the pages you've created.
-Does not change to reflect Facebook's changes.
Uses in the Classroom:
-Allow students to show deep understanding of literary character, in a book report or special project
-Tests comprehension: students could createa page for a historical figure/event or show the whole plot of a book
-Encourages humor
-Encourages creativity
-Benefits shy students who may want to show their knowledge but get too shy with a formal presentation
-Teaches students how to make relevant connections from history/literature to their everyday world
-Introduce beginner students to the principles of research; gives them specific areas to which they should target their research
Review of Other Technologies:
- thewallmachine.com: This site is easier/less tedious to customize than MyFakeWall, but it does also not offer as many profile modifications as MyFake Wall. Also users must log in through their Facebook accounts. This would be difficult to use in schools as many school servers block social networking sites. It allows comments on all public pages, whereas MyFakeWall does not. It also has a "trending" board where thewallmachine users may rank and vote on pages.
Other sites allow users to create only one small aspect of Facebook. http://fakebookquotes.appspot.com/ allows its users to create only Facebook wall posts and comments. http://fakeconvos.com/ allows its users to create only conversations and news feeds.
Edmodo is an educational site that looks like a mock Facebook or Twitter account. Edmodo is a classroom made for teachers to share assignments, libraries, posts, videos, polls, streams, notes, files, and grades with students and parents. Teachers and students can respond to assignments or posts written on the Edmodo.
How do I use this Edmodo?!?!?
Educators and students sign up using an email address and creating a password. Teachers control it by adding posts or deleting posts. The teacher creates groups that the students can join and students can only access their groups because they are given a specific code by the teacher to access the group. While it is quite similar to facebook`s layout with an account, profile, and homepage, here are a few videos showing you how to use it as an educator!
Pros
Secure
Use outside of the classroom
Organized
Easy to use
Free
Multiple people can respond to a post
Can upload images, videos, and URLS
Parents can be apart of the online classroom
Can send texts or emails as updates daily
Cons
Internet access
Need a code to enter a group
Must create username and password
Parents need a parent code to access
How Edmodo can be used in the classroom :
Accessible information with updates and notifications such as
assignments
videos
grades
alerts
calendar
Students create their own profile, have a backpack to store information, and can view the teacher`s site
Parents have access to the website and can be informed on classroom activites as well
And the competitors are…
21Classes, which centers the student-teacher experience around a class home page
Moodle is a website that can be used to compliment or conduct online classes.
How Moodle works:
It is similar to D2L in that it allows teachers to create an external component to their courses so that students have access to links to sites, take tests online with instant feedback or multiple attempts at taking the test, keep track of grades, chat with classmates for projects and submit work.
Pros:
Lower total cost for ownership
Higher levels of security
Peer review
Greater flexibility
Technical support
Well-tested updates and plug-ins
Variety of capabilities and tools such as testing, grades, submitting work, and chats
Availability in multiple languages
Cons:
Inefficient use of space on the page for logo
Lacking the ability to handle business-process models
Unable to use distributed administration modelto support multiple “schools” and “departments”
Glogster is a website that allows students and teachers to creatively express their knowledge and skills through the creation of glogs. Glogs are interactive multimedia posters created and stored online. Completed glogs can be added to Wiki, Facebook, and Twitter pages.
How do you use Glogster?
- You need to sign up with an email address for Glogster EDU.
If you have a regular Glogster account, you must use another email to create an EDU account.
- Then you will land on your profile page (or “dashboard”). Click on Create a New Glog to make a glog.
- As a teacher, you can add only a limited number of students by individually typing in each student’s information or uploading student information onto a downloadable Excel spreadsheet from Glogster.
Students will be assigned a randomly generated username and password, which will be emailed to you via the email you provided to Glogster.
- Once you have a blank glog, you can change the background by clicking on “Wall”.
- You can add text by clicking “Text” and selecting a text sticker type you want.
Click “Edit” to add text.
Click “Ab1” to change the font, size, and color of the text you enter.
You can also make the text box larger and smaller.
Click on the garbage can icon to delete text stickers.
- To add graphics, press “Graphics”.
You can link YouTube videos and other websites to graphics.
- You can also upload your own images by clicking on “Images”.
Clicking on “Sound” will allow you to upload your own sounds or create one.
Clicking on “Video” will allow you to upload your own videos or create one.
- Press “Save/Publish” to save and make the glog available for all students to view.
- You can link separate glog pages to one larger glog page by placing an image or text sticker and setting the glog’s link to the image or text sticker.
Pros:
- Prepares students for 21st century learning.
More interactive than PowerPoint.
- Teachers can monitor all of the students content
Nothing is hidden from the teacher
- Has an auto-save feature so that students or the teacher can work without worrying about losing work.
- Can be easily linked to other popular websites such as Facebook, Wikipedia, Emodo and Twitter etc.
- Allows students and teacher to show their own personality and express themself.
- Can be used in a cyber school and regular school setting to help students connect with one another.
Cons:
- Costs money
- Do not get as many features in the free version
Cant upload documents (PDF, PPT)
Cant use “draw” section
- Continuously makes changes to website and what is allowed or not allowed in the various versions
Last week could have up to 100 students in the free version and now you must pay to have 100 students.
- Can be confusing when adding students or making changes to glogster.
Students are given randomly generated names that cannot be changed.
How Glogster can be used in the Classroom:
- Have students create their own interests pages on their personal glogster accounts so you can get to know them better
- Adds 21st century skills to posters and projects
- Great for cyber schools to allow students to creatively show their work
- Can be accessed on at home, at school, or wherever students have internet access to allow students to work on homework or projects
- Classroom page to display student work, update parents on the class, upload information for the students, and to keep students accountable
- Projects and homework assignments
A cloud based website that is a mix between a whiteboard and a PowerPoint presentation. It allows users to make connections between ideas and is most similar to glogster.
Voice thread works by providing a interactive method of discussing a topic, video, art piece, or document. It creates a classroom discussion that can happen outside the classroom. Students can comment and talk using five different methods:
Typing
Voice recording
Video recording
Phoning in
Uploading a document (this one does not come with the free package)
Students can also zoom in and out and doodle to explain or illustrate a point.
As a Teacher you can interact with the students on Voice thread by clicking on their icons to see the comments or discussions they are having with one another about whatever is being presented.
For more information click on the link above to see what all voice thread has to offer and examples of different threads!
Pros
Extremely User Friendly
Offers Tutorials on all of its features
Website is easily navigated
Everything is stored in Voicethread
Provides a more technological way of showing primary source documents, pictures, paintings, and video clips.
Serves as another outlet for discussion
People can comment and interact via phone, typing, video, or recording
You can doodle!
A person needs to be invited to see and comment on a thread
You have a contact list so that you can add people very easily.
Site provides ideas for Voicethreads
Cons
You can only store up to three threads for free
o Single Educator: $15 a month, or $60 a year, up to 50 students (after 50 it is an extra $1 per student)
o School Subscription: $1 for every person who will need an account (Teachers and Students)
o District/State License: you have to call to get a quote on price
Certain files are not supported (but just use Zamzar and convert)
Need an email address
Two or more people cannot hold a conversation in real time
Sometimes the site shuts down for maintenance and is unavailable for a brief time.
How can it be used in the classroom?
Interactive discussions outside the classroom.
Group projects and presentations
Provides another method to get full class participation, some students may not like to talk in class but they feel perfectly comfortable typing in a comment.
Similar programs
Animoto-Free up to a certain point
Glogster-Personal is free but Glogster EDU costs some money.
Prezi- Free to a certain point
Voki-Free
Random Stuff
Voicethread is creating an app for iOS devices, it should be released sometime this fall
They have a twitter account so that you can stay up to date on what’s going on with the program as well as hear about other’s successes with the program.
How it works:
Animoto allows students to create a video slideshow with photos or videos uploaded from their own computers, facebook or other venues. Using the free version, students can make a video approximately 30 seconds long, using about 12-16 photos in that time. Animoto Lite (the free version) allows personalization in the following areas:
Theme of the slide show
Music in the slide show
Text in the slide show
Students can also comment on each other’s videos once they have shared the link. This can be done through facebook accounts or students can choose for the comment to appear solely on Animoto.
Pros:
Basic Free version is available
Once you have built your slide show, Animoto doesn’t take long to produce your videos—few minutes at most usually
Lots of pre-built options for your videos, even in free version
Very simple to operate
Merely upload photos, choose song, write text and you’re done
Saves different versions of the videos you’re making
Unlimited number of videos, no matter what version you have
Can upload photos straight from facebook or other online venues, as well as your personal computer
Will allow you to go over 30 seconds without charging you
Speeds up photos, so not completely limited to 12 photo limit
Can “play the system” a bit to stretch your free account
Easy to share—click on share, gives a link to copy
Also provides several other very easy ways to share
Blog with FAQ
Cons:
Have to pay for more complex versions, give you more options
Limited to 30 seconds of video for free version
Function of creating a new video with every version can be aggravating
If you only want to change where the song begins it’s a more complicated process than it needs to be
A little blurry when in full screen in certain themed videos—need to upgrade ($) for better quality
Character limits in text inputs
Classroom Applications:
Students can easily use Animoto for a project
Pull pictures from website (ex—historical figures for Social studies class)
Pause the slide show to talk about each picture (For instance, the important figures in a war in chronological order)
An updated, more personalized power point
Competitors
Prezi—Can hold more details at no charge as opposed to limitations of Animoto Lite
Glogster—Gives you more options for the free version and can have far more detail
Tech Tip #17- Kim Fulmer
Xtranormal.com/Xtranormal.com for Education Xtranormal.com
What is Xtranormal?
Xtranormal is a website that allows users to make online movies by creating actors, sets, and scripts, which are called assets.
How do you use Xtranormal?
Start by clicking on “Make A Movie”
Choose from several different actors, you can choose one or two characters
Once you choose an actor/actors you can choose the setting for the movie
Then you begin to write the script for your movie
As you write your script you can add motions, pauses, etc. by clicking and dragging the icon onto the script
Once you have finished your movie you click “Publish” to be able to show your movie to others
You can also save your movie
To allow others to view your movie you can publish it to YouTube or give them the URL to that exact movie
To view your own movies go to “My Movies”
You can also watch movies from Xtranormal by clicking on “Watch Movies”
Is Xtranormal Free?
Each user given 300 Xtranormal points once you have activated your account
Points are used to purchase assets
Once you have used your 300 points you must purchase more points to make more movies
Only have to purchase an asset once, meaning once you use an asset you will always have that asset to use, you do not have to re-purchase it with your points
You can get more Xtranormal points by buying bundles of points or by earning points
You can buy bundles of points by credit card or PayPal
To see how much an asset costs, there is a label next to each asset
Or earn points by using the Xtranormal invite system to invite friends and family through email. For each successful invite you receive 100 points Xtranormal Invite
Publishing a movie that you made costs 100 points
Once you have published a movie you will receive an email showing how many points you used, how you used them, and how many points you have left
Keep track of how many points you have while you are making a movie
Xtranormal.com for Education
An special Xtranormal program just for teachers and students
It costs $10 for teachers plus .50 per students
The program is still in testing so it is not useable right now, but you can give your school email address to be notified on the day it launches
Why get “Xtranormal for Education”
-instant set up for classes of all sizes
- unlimited publishing at no extra cost
-access to all assets
-access to student accounts and grading tools
Can have as many students as you would like at the cost of .50 per student
Only the teacher has access to the students account so it is not public
Can create assignments, grades, and give feedback to students
Pros
Can easily delete your account
Free to create an account
Can be made private or public
Very user-friendly
Can make a movie through YouTube
Each movie has its own URL- easy for students to find and watch
Many different languages
Very helpful for Social Studies teachers because of the President and Historical figure assets
Very private, need URL to watch other people’s movies unless they are published to YouTube
Cons
Can make actors say anything- must watch what students make their actors say
Some outfits for actors are inappropriate
Must have an email address
Only free to an extent
Basic package is very limited as far as assets go
Can not create your actor, must use ones from the site given to you
Movie does not publish right away, takes a few minutes
Once your movie is published it can not be edited
Pro/Con
Linked to Twitter and Facebook- if you use the same email for Twitter and Facebook accounts, you can post your videos/comment on them via Facebook and Twitter
How Xtranormal can be used in the classroom
Quizzes/Tests
Good tool for students who are visual learners and kinesthetic leaners
Students can create their own movies
Good way to teach a lesson when there is a substitute
Competitors
Animoto
-Turns user’s photos and video clips into video slideshows
-Can try for free, but for everyday use it does cost money
Digital Films
-Same setup as Xtranormal
-Free, just need an email address to sign up
-Not as many special affects or characters
GoAnimate
-Movies are limited to 2 minutes
-Sign up for free for the basic package, but you can purchase GoAnimate Plus
-Upload your own soundtrack and use your own voice for videos
Animasher
-Choose from simple pictures
-Add sounds
-Free
-Not private, very public- anyone can watch your videos
Tech Tip #18 - Uriah Renzetti and Katey Small
Blabberize.com
What is it?
Blabberize is a free site to use which has the abilities to make any photo “talk” with use of nearly any audio.
How does it work?
Here is a simple sample video to explain how to use Blabberize.
With just a few clicks you can customize a mouth to fit any photo and add audio to get your point across.
Pros
- It’s free to use.
- It’s funny and entertaining.
- Anyone can make one with whatever photos you have saved on your computer and audio from any audio file and your built-in microphone.
- Teachers can make it a private link only and therefore no one else can see your blabbers.
Cons
- It may be distracting in a classroom setting.
- It may not always be seen as an educational tool to get a point across. Might be too distracting to students to understand the message.
- Must have internet access.
- The call-in audio record option no longer works.
- You must have a working microphone on your computer or one that attaches for the recording feature to work.
- You must be tech savvy enough to figure out where the mouth placement goes.
- Mouth moves only with volume control. You must regulate your voice to the right level to look legitimate.
-If you want to download your blabber as a .mpg video (the only file option), you must wait in the queue until they process your request. You may only download any blabber 10 times.
-The website is under-funded and under-staffed. You should not expect any tech support or help from the site. Some proposed updates from last year have not be completed. For example, an education version of the site has yet to be released. We suggest you don't hold your breath.
How can it be used in the classroom?
It could be used as a great attention grabber tool or to introduce a new idea in a classroom.
Teachers could use Blabberize to take famous historical speeches and put them to an amusing llama’s face or even the speaker himself. Teachers could also allow students to make their own blabbers for presentations.
A Review of Similar Technologies
Go! Animate and Animasher are similar websites where you can make short animations with still clip art. Go! Animate is more like a cartoon movie maker. However these websites require much more tech savvy skills. But both are still free to use. Blabberize is vastly different from these sites because these websites are specifically for movie making and movie presentations. Voki and Voki Classroom use talking avatars to communicate. You simply design your avatar and type what you’d like it to say. Voki is the closest tool to Blabberize.
Voki.com allows you to create customizable, talking avatars to post in websites and blogs. After you create a custom avatar, you can add your own voice, or a preset text-to-speech voice. A wide variety of worldwide accents are available; you can also enter text in a foreign language and have it spoken properly.
Unique characters can be created from stock images of people, cartoons, celebrities, animals, and politicians. The image can be customized by changing clothing, jewelry, backgrounds, and voice.
Finally, you can publish the Voki avatar on all the popular platforms for websites and blogs.
How it is used (how to create a Voki character):
Pros: Easy and intuitive to use Export to all the popular blog platforms Fast/ 5 minutes for custom character Text to speech is fast/easy Different accent feature Lesson Plans for ideas for use in the classroom Teacher’s Corner Forum: http://forums.voki.com/forums/list.page
Cons: Character limit text to speech is 600 (long speeches like Shakespeare can’t be used) 60 second limit on recording time Customizing is limited (some characters have more options) Phone feature for voice recording costs money (if you don’t have a microphone ) You can only use one avatar at a time
Voki in the classroom:
In the classroom, Voki can be used to improve participation, assist with text comprehension, or as a foreign language tool. The avatars can be used to test for comprehension. Students can create an avatar that represents the physical, intellectual, and emotional characteristics of a historical figure or character from a reading. The attributes that the student assigns will reveal their understanding of the inner and outer forces that shape the character.
Review of Similar Technologies/Competitors to Voki.com:
Gizmos creates more realistic looking avatars than Voki; however, they do not speak. These avatars can morph into alien-looking creatures by changing ears noses etc. They can also change race or turn into a caricature.
Meez offers cartoonish avatars that look like popular gaming figures; they offer a wide variety of costumes, but unlike Voki, the characters do not speak. There are animated characters that dance or perform; Meez characters would work well with a soundtrack behind them. Coins are required to save characters; you can earn free coins by signing up.
“Bitstrips is an educational tool that engages students in a medium they love – comics!” – Bitstrips
This website allows teacher’s to create and assign classroom assignments that give their students the opportunity to show their knowledge of the class topic through the creation of a comic strip.
How does it work?
Once a teacher creates their bitstrips classroom, their students can join the class using the class code. The teacher can then assign assignments to their online class, through the creation of their own assignment or through the selection of an assignment from the assignment library. Once the students create their comic strip, it is made available to the teacher to then send back for revision, or to mark as complete and publish to the classroom gallery.
Pros
The teacher must create a classroom code, which allows for privacy. Only students and the teacher can access the online classroom.
A classroom can include up to 40 students
You can have multiple online classrooms
You can archive your classroom, so the comics can no longer be edited, but your previous students can access their avatars
You can up load your class roaster one name at a time or all at once by exporting your class list from excel, CSV, etc.
Organized class and assignment lists
You can choose the language of your class – Great for foreign language teachers because you can select to “enforce the language” which means the students can only use the selected language when creating their comics.
You can create your own assignments, or use the assignment library to assign your class work
The teacher must approve all comics before they are published in the online classroom gallery
The teacher can review each students comics and leave comments for revision, or publish to the classroom gallery
Teacher settings allow the teacher to choose when the students can log on, and what they have access to
Very easy set up that provides step by step instructions
Students do not have to create a username, they only have to type the classroom code
You can import pictures, and they will remain in your comic builder art library
Students can use the work together option to collaborate on a group project
There is no instillation needed
Very helpful blog
Each activity in the assignment library includes teaching tips to help the teacher with the lesson
It is an interactive, creative, and fun tool to use in the classroom
Cons
Costs money
30 day free trial
Teacher accounts
$9.95/month for the first classroom
$4.95/month for additional classrooms
School District Accounts
500 students
$750/year
You need internet access and adobe flash player
You can’t close your account on your own, you need to notify bitstrips, and they will close your account within one business day
Once you create a comic bitstrips has the rights to that comic, and they can use it
Copyright rules apply, you can’t use Mickey J
Inappropriate options when creating your avatar
Cannot make changes once your submit your comic, unless the teacher sends it back for revision
You can remix anyone else’s comic without permission and you become the new creator – can lead to copying and plagiarism
Limited art library
Using Bitstrips in the classroom:
Creative assignments
The teacher can create a quiz question and the students will have to answer the question through the creation of a comic
Promotes student interaction – students have the ability to comment, laugh, blog, remix, print and flag each other’s work, allowing for positive comments and constructive criticism
Teaches critical skills
Reading and writing, critical thinking, social skills, collaborations, internet safety, visual and media literacy, inference making, digital story-telling
Can adapt lessons from any subject
Fast paced lesson planning
Great for political cartoons
Helps to check students understanding by using their own creative interpretations
Competitors:
Pixton
Publish, share, and remix
Can be used for fun, schools, and businesses
Private
Grade tools
Record voice-overs for learning enhancement
30 day Free Trial (up to 50 students)
Witty Comics
Public
Very simple, not much creativity or variety
Free
Make Beliefs Comix
Free
Public
Similar Creative Options
Tech Tip #23 Sonja Bjorken, Michele Marouchoc
Audacity.com
What it is? Audacity is a free sound-editing program that can be downloaded from the Internet.
How it works: Download Audacity and begin recording your voice or material by clicking on the red circle, which will start recording, and speak into your microphone. Or upload an MP3 file to Audacity to edit. Below is a more detailed video explaining the functions of Audacity:
Pros:
-Free
-Fast download (compared to other audio editing programs)
-Great for slowing down authentic audio (foreign language majors)
-With most Windows and Linux audio devices, it is possible to record whatever sound the computer is currently playing, including internet radio streams.
-Audacity 1.3 Beta has a Timer Record feature to start and stop recording at a particular time
-Can mix or synchronize two tracks together (including voice and music)
-Can edit out voice for Karaoke Cons:
-You need an installed copy of Audacity.com, a microphone, headphones, speakers, and internet access to use the program
-Can be confusing when you first use it (ex. changing speed also changes pitch, need to change tempo to change only the speed)
-Cannot distribute MP3 encoding software (have to use Zamzar, LAME, etc.)
-Audacity cannot import a track directly from an audio CD or convert iTunes files
-Depending on your operating system, sound card and version of downloaded Audacity, certain features may vary
Audacity in the Classroom:
-Podcasts (all subjects)
-Foreign language (authentic source and material)
-English projects (record voice with projects)
-Speech and ESL teachers (pronunciation and progress)
-Music class (record students singing or playing instruments-explain rhythm and sound waves)
-Math (teaching the dynamics of sound waves-harmony and dissonance)
Similar Technologies:
-Adobe Audition – pay
-Sweep is an audio editor and live playback tool for GNU/Linux, BSD and compatible systems – free
-AVS Audio Editor – free (long time to download compared to Audacity) – $39($69)/1 yr or $59($199)/unlimited (70% off through 10/31)
-Garageband – only on Macs
Ryan Palmer
Audioboo
It is a simple way of recording audio and saving audio data online.
Can be used by an iphone and computer, one records their desired boo about anything they´d like, publish it and show it to the world.
It is fast, easy and free! It can be used on any computer (unlike audacity), and it does not have to be downloaded
Sadly though one must have a microphone (unless they have a phone). Also if you want to record anything more than three minutes you must update your version to audiooboo plus, which allows you to record for 30 minutes, but you must pay about 70 dollars a year.
Audacity is the most similar program but it seems to be more technical and not as social
OUTLINE
TECH TIP # _ Your name
Name of Technology
What it is
How it works
Pros
Cons
How it can be used in the classroom
Review of other similar technologies
Tech Tip #1 - Tim Stauffer
www.typewith.me
Typewith.me is a collaborative writing tool which allows multiple users to produce a written document together in real time.
Here is an explanatory YouTube video:
How Typewith.me works:
One person logs onto the website and then sends out invitations to their friends through Instant Messaging or Email and then those people can join and start typing. Each contributor has their typing appear in a distinct color so it is known who is adding what. Also on the screen to the side is a chat window so group members can interact.
Pros:
Cons:
Uses in Classroom:
Typewith.me competitors:
Google docs:
Google docs has the advantage of a much higher product id which may make it easier to get people interested in using it with you. It also has more sophisticated options for making a written document and it also offers the opportunity to collaborate on other projects such as spreadsheets and PowerPoint type slides. Typewith.me only offers the template for a written document.Those who prefer simplicity over a plethora of options may want to stick with Typewith.me.
Wikispaces:
Wikispaces also has the advantage of being a more comprehensive system but it seems not to offer the advantage of multiple users being able to see what each other are typing in real time. This deficiency could lead to confusion as students collaborate on a project. Also users must join Wikispaces in order to access the program which may deter some potential users. Typewith.me offers a less intrusive option with a more straightforward platform.Overall the appeal of Typewith.me seems to be its simplicity.
TECH TIP # 2 Collin Sloat & Eric Decker
Google Docs
What is it?
A collaborative writing tool designed to allow multiple users to compose, view, and edit a document.How does it work?
It functions very similar to Microsoft Word, however all the data is stored “in the cloud,” and not on any specific hard drive. This allows anyone who is permitted to access the document to manipulate and view it.Pros:
Cons
How it can be used in the classroom?
Students can use Google Docs for group work, collaborative writing projects, and to work with a teacher while at home. Rough drafts may now exist “in the cloud” instead of in the student’s folders. Teachers may monitor student progress as they work through a project. Students no longer need to pass documents through email in order to review and make changes.Review of other similar technologies
Wikispaces- While a valuable tool, Google Docs allows two people to edit a document simultaneously whereas Wiki spaces runs into issues. Also, the interface may not be as familiar to students as Google Docs.Typewithme- Similar to Wikispaces, Typewithme’s interface may also be unfamiliar to students, although it is far simpler than Wikispaces. Typewithme lacks some of the more in-depth features that Google Docs has.
TECH TIP # 3 – Mallory Newcomer
Wikispaces
It's easy to create your own Wiki!
What is a Wikispace?
A Wikispace is a webpage that can be shared between and edited by a group of people. Because we are already familiar with Wikispaces, I’m going to show you how to use a Wikispace for educators.
How does a Wikispace for educators work?
The teacher, who is the administrator of the Wiki, has the rights to lock certain pages so that students may not make changes to it or they may even restrict viewing/editing privileges to one or a group of students. The Wikispaces may be set to private so that only the class may see the Wikispace. Teachers can even request an upgrade to Wikispaces for K-12 educators, which are free and without advertisements.
Pros
- Secure
- Organized
- Easy to use
- Can take place of class
ConsHow it can be used in the classroom
This can be used for brainstorming, group projects and papers. Also, a Wikispace can be used for online classes or classes that don’t meet often, such as those that meet once a week or less.
Review of other similar technologies
Google docs is similar to wikispaces as users can share and edit a document online.
Editme is very similar to wikispace, but it costs money to use.
TECH TIP # 4 Svetlana Gómez
http://wordpress.com/
Wordpress.com is a free open source application that allows you to create a blog in which you can write about anything you like and is connected to a global community.
Here is a sample video:
How wordpress.com works:
First you have to sign up for an account and then you can start blogging in seconds. Then, you publish your post and can get feedback from other bloggers.
Pros:
It´s free and easy to use.
You have total control over your blog, be creative, customize, track comments, and more.
You have access to many posts around the world.
It saves your posts automatically.
Spam mail is blocked.
Cons:
It has a full feature dashboard that, at first, may look too complicated.
You have to create an account in order to start a blog, as opposed to other writing sites where you don´t need to create an account.
Wordpress.com in the classroom:Students can be engaged by either following the teacher´s blog where he/she can post all the information for the class and also, the teacher can make students create their own blog, so they can do homework, like exercises, summaries, and collaborative project online. In addition, students can read and comment on a couple of other students to give suggestions or expand their knowledge on the given topic or assignment. In this way, the students can use their creativity as they customize their blog and more likely, they would have to think critically before posting their work and by giving feedback to other student´s blog, they will clarify and understand better the concepts taught in class.
Wordpress.com and similar products:
www.blogger.com
It seems to be simpler and more straightforward because it doesn´t have as many features as wordpress.com. I guess it will depend on the assignment and your audience tech skills to decide which one you want to use.
www.wikispaces.com
You have to keep saving your work and only one member can make changes at a time. If someones erases something by mistake, only the teacher can fix it.
Wordpress.com can make learning fun, by giving students the freedom to customize their blog as they wish and by interacting with other students to come to a better understanding on the subject.
Twitter
Rachel Knoll & Laura Fettrow
1) What is twitter?
“Twitter is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest information about what you find interesting. Simply find the public streams you find most compelling and follow the conversations.”-Twitter.com/about.Basically, Twitter is a simple form of Facebook so it is a social networking and microblogging site for users across the globe.
2) How Twitter Works:
To tweet and become part of the twitter network users simply:
1) Enter a valid email account
2) Create a username and password
3) Search Twitter for interests
4) Find and follow friends, family, favorite celebrities, sports teams, news
networks and more!
3) How can Twitter be used in the classroom?
Keep students informed on homework assignments, grades, or even intersting facts.
Have students follow a news or scholarly source ie. CNN or MSNBC as opposed to reading the newspaper.
4) Similar Technologies:
Tumblr: blogging site that allows sharing of photos
Facebook: social networking site that allows users to make posts, create groups, share photos and videos
Flickr: yahoo based photo sharing website.
5) Twitter video:
Twitter
TECH TIP # 6 Carole Emery
www.bubbl.usWhat is Bubbl.us???
When created, the goal of Bubbl.us was to create a simple and easy to learn tool to help people organize their ideas in a manner that was easy to understand and made more sense to them. The organizers of the site tried to avoid the things that annoyed people about other similar sites and applications, such as too many buttons, and too much time to learn how to use it. Bubbl.us is a simple and easy to understand site that gives one free reign to develop brainstorming bubbles for anything at all. It can be used easily in a classroom setting with easy means to add others to files and share ideas together in a single document.
How it works:
Here is a video that describes the inner workings of bubbl.us.
You start with a central bubble. To add thoughts to that one idea you click the bottom icon on the bubble and you can a new idea. This process can be done again and again and you can drag the bubbles any which way you want. If you decide that a bubble you already used is better suited elsewhere, you can drag it to another central idea and it will like itself up to that idea. If you want to delete a bubble, you place the cursor over the bubble and soon after an icon will appear with options for you to choose. The whole diagram can be dragged around and placed where you want to. You can export the file wherever you chose, and you can even print it out. To save you just click the icon on the right and save it as you choose. The document can be added to and changed by whoever you have chosen to share the document with, which makes it ideal for teachers to use in a classroom.
Pros:
Cons:
How it can be used in the classroom:
This site is extremely useful in a classroom. All the time teachers, especially English, are asking students to make thought bubbles to brainstorm ideas for a story or a research paper. This site allows someone to put their thoughts down in a clear, easy, and presentable manner. What really makes this useful in a class is that a group can work together on a single document at a time. Although you cannot all work on the document at the same time for fear of work not being saved correctly, the site allows students to put their thoughts into the open at any time they think of them. It gives free reign to students to think and work for themselves on ideas in a fun and easy way. Also it allows for easy access to the students work at home so they can work on it and add to it as they please.
Some of the competitors to bubble.us:
Mindmeister.com-The site is relatively the same as bubbl.us. There are larger tabs for creating documents, importing, sharing, etc. Just like bubbl you have to register and you can only create 3 documents/maps at a time, and if you pay for a subscription you can get a larger plan. To add other people to your document or to share it with others you have to subscribe for a plan that costs around $10. You can download an app and use it on your android or smart phone. Overall, the features are the same.
The Brain-This is very high tech website. To gain access you have to download the program for free. It’s all digital and high tech. It’s also very entertaining to watch. To create ideas off of the center bubble, you draw and create lines. Unlike bubbl.us or mindmeister, you don’t click add tab. Everything is done more in a manual style with the mouse. It’s very easy to use and very fun too.
Tech Tip 7 Rebekah Moore
Mywebspiration.com
Webspiration.com
What it is:
Webspiration allows students to work individually or collaboratively to create diagrams and easily organize information and convert it to outline form. It allows writing and visual thinking to occur on-line with the assistance of graphics, hyperlinks, and different formatting options.
How it works:
You can start with a main idea, create branches out to supporting ideas, make categories, and draw connections in a web-like format. It includes features allowing you to format your diagram in different ways, you can insert images relating to your topics and customize diagrams around your ideas. Here is a video of how it works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0EXLbQC_F8&feature=player_detailpage
Pros
Cons
How it can be used in the classroom
Webspiration can be used in class for students to organize information and learning’s on their own or in groups. They can submit their work on the website so this tool can easily be used for assignments outside of class. The teacher can give feedback and send messages to the whole class.
Competitors of Webspiration
TECH TIP 8: Katie Merkel
Technology: zamzar.com
What it is
At www.zamzar.com you can convert files from one format to another. The types of files able to be converted using Zamzar include: typed works, E-Books, photos, videos, and songs.
Zamzar’s Mission: “To provide high quality file conversion for as many file formats as possible” (n.p. ZAMZAR: Free online file conversion.)
How it works
Tutorial: “Zamzar URL features” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JgZ3_t3vjY&feature=player_embedded
Steps:
1) You go to http://www.zamzar.com/.
2) Assuming you are using the site for free, click on Browse and select a file or click on URL under “Step 1.”
File:
3) Select the file you wish to convert.
4) Click on the drop arrow under “Step 2” and select a file type.
5) Type in an e-mail address of the recipient (this can be yours or it can belong to someone who needs to access the information contained in the file) in the space
provided under “Step 3.” (If you send it to someone other than yourself, make sure in advance that they understand what Zamzar is and why they will be receiving an
e-mail from them.)
6) Click the button which reads “Convert” under “Step 4.”
7) A message box will pop up. Review it and, if you are satisfied, click “OK.”
8) If you sent it to someone else, you are done. If you sent it to yourself, login to your e-mail account.
9) Open the e-mail from “Zamzar Conversions.”
10) Find the link to your file and click on it. (You will be taken to a Zamzar page.)
11) Click on the green button reading “Download Now.”
12) Save or download the converted file.
URL:
3) Type in or past the URL in the space provided under “Step 1.”
4) Click on the drop arrow under “Step 2” and select a file type.
5) Type in an e-mail address (this can be yours or it can belong to someone who needs to access the information contained in the file) in the space provided under
“Step 3.” (If you send it to someone other than yourself, make sure in advance that they understand what Zamzar is and why they will be receiving an e-mail from
them.)
6) Click the button which reads “Convert” under “Step 4.”
7) A message box will pop up. Review it and, if you are satisfied, click “OK.”
8) If you sent it to someone else, you are done. If you sent it to yourself, login to your e-mail account.
9) Open the e-mail from “Zamzar Conversions.”
10) Find the link to your file and click on it. (You will be taken to a Zamzar page.)
11) Click on the green button reading “Download Now.”
12) Save or download the converted file (BennettVS1).
Pros:
Cons:
How it can be used in the classroom
Review of other similar technologies
Thus far in class, we have not learned about any other forms of technology that are similar to Zamzar; however, there are a few websites similar to Zamzar which we did not cover in class. Below I have listed three of them.
Zamzar and youconverit are incredibly similar websites. They both have the ability to convert audio, video, read/write files, and images and are free and easy to use. Due to the fact that these web services are so similar, it is difficult to say which one is better.
Tech Tip # 9 Becky Strait
www.weebly.com
Weebly is a website which allows a person to create his own website for almost any purpose: school, education, business, or personal.
Here is a video which gives a quick overview.
.
How it works
Pros
- Easy to use
- Step by step instructions-support
- There is an educator weebly which allows you create a classroom page and keep it protected.
Cons- Cannot get everything with the free version.
- Cannot pick your own domain without paying a fee.
- A little trouble
How it can be used in the classroom- Class website with projects and links to other resources.
Review of other similar technologies- Jimdo
- Similarities
- Many of the same features
- Both are easy to use
- Differences
- Navigation is not unlimited
- Can’t use Google AdSense
- Limited storage space
- Weebly has better technical support
ReferencesBennettVS1. “Convert Youtube videos to mp3's using zamzar.” YouTube.com. YouTube, 21 May 2010. Web. 22 Sept. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FnlREt3PXI&feature=related>.
n.p. Media Converter. Media Converter. 2011. Web. 22 Sept. 2011. <http://mediaconverter.org/>.
n.p. Tiny Media Converter. RNGDE. 2011. Web. 22 Sept. 2011. <http://tinymediaconverter.com/>.
n.p. youconvertit. youconvertit, 23 Aug. 2011. Web. 22 Sept. 2011. <http://youconvertit.com/ConvertFiles.aspx>.
n.p. ZAMZAR: Free online file conversion. ZAMZAR, 2011. Web. 22 Sept. 2011. <http://www.zamzar.com/>.
whyleyc. “Zamzar URL features.” YouTube.com. YouTube, 15 Feb. 2007. Web. 22 Sept. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JgZ3_t3vjY&feature=player_embedded>.
TECH TIP # 10: Kelsey Arnold
Sites.google.com
GoogleSites
Welcome to Google Sites - visit this link below:
Introduction to Google Sites
What is Google Sites?
Sites.google is a website builder that is an easy way to make information quickly accessible and up to date. Several people can work together and edit the webpage or it can be a solo project. Controlled access is up to the owner of the website ( could be for yourself, the public, or a group of people). This is a good use for teachers especially if students already have a Google account.How does it work, you ask?
Well, here are some easy to follow videos that will introduce you to the program:First, a google account must be made or logged into. Then go to "Create a new site" tab under the app of google sites.
Establish a name for your site and choose a layout. Begin!!
From here it can become as simple or as difficult as you would like.
Several pull down tabs can be created as shown in the video and renaming a page is as simple as choosing to edit your website.
Many things can be added to your website such as pictures, presentations, polls, announcements, word of the day, a video clip and much more.
Just remember whenever you want to add or change something on your site, click the edit button. To insert items go to the top left corner and click on "Insert."
Other setting tools can be found under the pull down tab of "sitemap" and then continue to "manage pages."
Feel free to explore and look around for a long time because there is a lot to see and do.
PROS:
Do not have to know webpage coding (HTML/Java)
Simple to figure out
Free
Storage online
Make as many as want
Private or Public (must type the entire web address in to find)
Template's make it easy to build a webpage to what you desire (structure/gadgets)
Choose who can edit your website
Add pictures/links/ documents – anything at all
Helpful links provided if problems arise
CONS:
Need email address
Internet access
Limited space for storage
Take a while to set up and completely figure out
Unsupported files (i.e. extensions)
Difficult to find website in a search not as easy as .com webpage
If Google is down can’t get to the website you created
Must update frequently
How would Google.sites be used in a classroom setting?
Visit this link which provides educators with helpful hints of how to incorporate this technology into their classroom:
Google.sites/Educator
The Competition:
For Free
Weebly.com – extremely easy to use drag/drop feature website builder
Webs.com – website builder leaning more toward business aspect and only goes down to two sub-levels and is only available in English
Webnode.com – choose to create a personal website (rather than business or e-commerce) Has several different languages available. Template options limited.
Jimdo.com – easy to use and can upgrade to a more professional website program. Only supports two-levels, but has 11 languages available.
Money Needed
intuit.com – free for first 30 days and $7.99 a month after1&1
iPage
Tech Tip #11: Maggie Phenicie
myfakewall.com
What It Is:
My fake wall allows its users to create fake Facebook (often parody or caricature accounts) profile pages or "walls."
Here's a YouTube video that shows how to create a MyFakeWall profile.
How It Works:
MyFakeWall users must first create an account. Then they can create a page "as" another person, usually a book/movie/TV character or historical figure. The profile they create mimics a single user's Facebook page or "wall."
Pros:
-Easy to use
-Great guided help throughout site
-Free
-Users always able to edit
-Changes save automatically
-All FakeWalls public
-Not required to be a Facebook user to use it
-Facebook look without potential hazards of using Facebook
Cons:
-Editing process tedious
-No privacy settings
-Can only create a single user's wall--no option for NewsFeed/Homepage or user's personal interests as in real Facebook
-No way to link among the pages you've created.
-Does not change to reflect Facebook's changes.
Uses in the Classroom:
-Allow students to show deep understanding of literary character, in a book report or special project
-Tests comprehension: students could createa page for a historical figure/event or show the whole plot of a book
-Encourages humor
-Encourages creativity
-Benefits shy students who may want to show their knowledge but get too shy with a formal presentation
-Teaches students how to make relevant connections from history/literature to their everyday world
-Introduce beginner students to the principles of research; gives them specific areas to which they should target their research
Review of Other Technologies:
-
thewallmachine.com: This site is easier/less tedious to customize than MyFakeWall, but it does also not offer as many profile modifications as MyFake Wall. Also users must log in through their Facebook accounts. This would be difficult to use in schools as many school servers block social networking sites. It allows comments on all public pages, whereas MyFakeWall does not. It also has a "trending" board where thewallmachine users may rank and vote on pages.
http://docs.google.com/previewtemplate?id=1-nCxDCLcEAuge4wac5I5F_83GH9QNZpXpKCGMRl2utk&mode=public: This public Google Doc template gives a step-by-step guide of its use. It was created by a teacher for his class, though, and is fairly limited.
Other sites allow users to create only one small aspect of Facebook. http://fakebookquotes.appspot.com/ allows its users to create only Facebook wall posts and comments. http://fakeconvos.com/ allows its users to create only conversations and news feeds.
Tech Tip # 12--Virginia O`Shell
EDMODO
http://edmodo.com
What is Edmodo?
Edmodo is an educational site that looks like a mock Facebook or Twitter account. Edmodo is a classroom made for teachers to share assignments, libraries, posts, videos, polls, streams, notes, files, and grades with students and parents. Teachers and students can respond to assignments or posts written on the Edmodo.
How do I use this Edmodo?!?!?
Educators and students sign up using an email address and creating a password. Teachers control it by adding posts or deleting posts. The teacher creates groups that the students can join and students can only access their groups because they are given a specific code by the teacher to access the group.
While it is quite similar to facebook`s layout with an account, profile, and homepage, here are a few videos showing you how to use it as an educator!
Pros
Secure
Use outside of the classroom
Organized
Easy to use
Free
Multiple people can respond to a post
Can upload images, videos, and URLS
Parents can be apart of the online classroom
Can send texts or emails as updates daily
Cons
Internet access
Need a code to enter a group
Must create username and password
Parents need a parent code to access
How Edmodo can be used in the classroom :
Accessible information with updates and notifications such as
assignments
videos
grades
alerts
calendar
Students create their own profile, have a backpack to store information, and can view the teacher`s site
Parents have access to the website and can be informed on classroom activites as well
And the competitors are…
21Classes, which centers the student-teacher experience around a class home page
https://www.21classes.com/
Edublogs, which is a private blogging platform for students, teachers, classes and school districts or universities.
http://edublogs.org/
Both of these are similar to Edmodo but if you want premium features you have to pay!
Tech Tip #13 - Sarah Ayers
www.moodle.com
What is Moodle?
Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning EnvironmentMoodle is a website that can be used to compliment or conduct online classes.
How Moodle works:
It is similar to D2L in that it allows teachers to create an external component to their courses so that students have access to links to sites, take tests online with instant feedback or multiple attempts at taking the test, keep track of grades, chat with classmates for projects and submit work.
Pros:
Cons:
How Moodle is used in the Classroom:
Similar Technologies:
Blackboard, ANGEL Learing, Desire2Learn Inc., e-College
http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/71/moodle-a-low-cost-solution-for-successful-e-learning
Tech Tip# 14 - Katie Bursan and Kristina Padula
Glogster/Glogster EDUwww.glogster.com
www.edu.glogster.com
What is Glogster?
Glogster is a website that allows students and teachers to creatively express their knowledge and skills through the creation of glogs. Glogs are interactive multimedia posters created and stored online. Completed glogs can be added to Wiki, Facebook, and Twitter pages.How do you use Glogster?
- You need to sign up with an email address for Glogster EDU.
- If you have a regular Glogster account, you must use another email to create an EDU account.
- Then you will land on your profile page (or “dashboard”). Click on Create a New Glog to make a glog.- As a teacher, you can add only a limited number of students by individually typing in each student’s information or uploading student information onto a downloadable Excel spreadsheet from Glogster.
- Students will be assigned a randomly generated username and password, which will be emailed to you via the email you provided to Glogster.
- Once you have a blank glog, you can change the background by clicking on “Wall”.- You can add text by clicking “Text” and selecting a text sticker type you want.
- Click “Edit” to add text.
- Click “Ab1” to change the font, size, and color of the text you enter.
- You can also make the text box larger and smaller.
- Click on the garbage can icon to delete text stickers.
- To add graphics, press “Graphics”.- You can link YouTube videos and other websites to graphics.
- You can also upload your own images by clicking on “Images”.- Clicking on “Sound” will allow you to upload your own sounds or create one.
- Clicking on “Video” will allow you to upload your own videos or create one.
- Press “Save/Publish” to save and make the glog available for all students to view.- You can link separate glog pages to one larger glog page by placing an image or text sticker and setting the glog’s link to the image or text sticker.
Pros:
- Prepares students for 21st century learning.- More interactive than PowerPoint.
- Teachers can monitor all of the students content- Nothing is hidden from the teacher
- Has an auto-save feature so that students or the teacher can work without worrying about losing work.- Can be easily linked to other popular websites such as Facebook, Wikipedia, Emodo and Twitter etc.
- Allows students and teacher to show their own personality and express themself.
- Can be used in a cyber school and regular school setting to help students connect with one another.
Cons:
- Costs money- Do not get as many features in the free version
- Cant upload documents (PDF, PPT)
- Cant use “draw” section
- Continuously makes changes to website and what is allowed or not allowed in the various versions- Last week could have up to 100 students in the free version and now you must pay to have 100 students.
- Can be confusing when adding students or making changes to glogster.How Glogster can be used in the Classroom:
- Have students create their own interests pages on their personal glogster accounts so you can get to know them better- Adds 21st century skills to posters and projects
- Great for cyber schools to allow students to creatively show their work
- Can be accessed on at home, at school, or wherever students have internet access to allow students to work on homework or projects
- Classroom page to display student work, update parents on the class, upload information for the students, and to keep students accountable
- Projects and homework assignments
Competitors of Glogster:
- www.voicethread.com- Similar to Glogster, but voicethread.com is a slide show like website that allows teachers and students to add doodles, images, and movies.
- www.prezi.comTech Tip #15 Meg Bruno
Voice thread
www.voicethread.comWhat is it?
http://voicethread.com/?#u1941979.b409.i848804How it works:
Voice thread works by providing a interactive method of discussing a topic, video, art piece, or document. It creates a classroom discussion that can happen outside the classroom. Students can comment and talk using five different methods:- Typing
- Voice recording
- Video recording
- Phoning in
- Uploading a document (this one does not come with the free package)
Students can also zoom in and out and doodle to explain or illustrate a point.As a Teacher you can interact with the students on Voice thread by clicking on their icons to see the comments or discussions they are having with one another about whatever is being presented.
For more information click on the link above to see what all voice thread has to offer and examples of different threads!
Pros
Cons
How can it be used in the classroom?
Similar programs
Random Stuff
Tech Tip #16--Kimmy Saylor
Animoto
Visual Slide Shows
http://animoto.com/
What is it?
http://animoto.com/play/DVObUV5VBxtsdsc2XMPCDg
How it works:
Animoto allows students to create a video slideshow with photos or videos uploaded from their own computers, facebook or other venues. Using the free version, students can make a video approximately 30 seconds long, using about 12-16 photos in that time. Animoto Lite (the free version) allows personalization in the following areas:
Students can also comment on each other’s videos once they have shared the link. This can be done through facebook accounts or students can choose for the comment to appear solely on Animoto.
Pros:
Cons:
Classroom Applications:
Competitors
Prezi—Can hold more details at no charge as opposed to limitations of Animoto Lite
Glogster—Gives you more options for the free version and can have far more detail
Tech Tip #17- Kim Fulmer
Xtranormal.com/Xtranormal.com for EducationXtranormal.com
What is Xtranormal?
Xtranormal is a website that allows users to make online movies by creating actors, sets, and scripts, which are called assets.How do you use Xtranormal?
Is Xtranormal Free?
Xtranormal.com for Education
- An special Xtranormal program just for teachers and students
- It costs $10 for teachers plus .50 per students
- The program is still in testing so it is not useable right now, but you can give your school email address to be notified on the day it launches
- Why get “Xtranormal for Education”
-instant set up for classes of all sizes- unlimited publishing at no extra cost
-access to all assets
-access to student accounts and grading tools
Pros
Cons
Pro/Con
How Xtranormal can be used in the classroom
Competitors
- Animoto
-Turns user’s photos and video clips into video slideshows-Can try for free, but for everyday use it does cost money
- Digital Films
-Same setup as Xtranormal-Free, just need an email address to sign up
-Not as many special affects or characters
- GoAnimate
-Movies are limited to 2 minutes-Sign up for free for the basic package, but you can purchase GoAnimate Plus
-Upload your own soundtrack and use your own voice for videos
- Animasher
-Choose from simple pictures-Add sounds
-Free
-Not private, very public- anyone can watch your videos
Tech Tip #18 - Uriah Renzetti and Katey Small
Blabberize.com
What is it?
Blabberize is a free site to use which has the abilities to make any photo “talk” with use of nearly any audio.
How does it work?
Here is a simple sample video to explain how to use Blabberize.
With just a few clicks you can customize a mouth to fit any photo and add audio to get your point across.
Pros
- It’s free to use.- It’s funny and entertaining.
- Anyone can make one with whatever photos you have saved on your computer and audio from any audio file and your built-in microphone.
- Teachers can make it a private link only and therefore no one else can see your blabbers.
Cons
- It may be distracting in a classroom setting.- It may not always be seen as an educational tool to get a point across. Might be too distracting to students to understand the message.
- Must have internet access.
- The call-in audio record option no longer works.
- You must have a working microphone on your computer or one that attaches for the recording feature to work.
- You must be tech savvy enough to figure out where the mouth placement goes.
- Mouth moves only with volume control. You must regulate your voice to the right level to look legitimate.
-If you want to download your blabber as a .mpg video (the only file option), you must wait in the queue until they process your request. You may only download any blabber 10 times.
-The website is under-funded and under-staffed. You should not expect any tech support or help from the site. Some proposed updates from last year have not be completed. For example, an education version of the site has yet to be released. We suggest you don't hold your breath.
How can it be used in the classroom?
It could be used as a great attention grabber tool or to introduce a new idea in a classroom.Teachers could use Blabberize to take famous historical speeches and put them to an amusing llama’s face or even the speaker himself. Teachers could also allow students to make their own blabbers for presentations.
A Review of Similar Technologies
Go! Animate and Animasher are similar websites where you can make short animations with still clip art. Go! Animate is more like a cartoon movie maker. However these websites require much more tech savvy skills. But both are still free to use. Blabberize is vastly different from these sites because these websites are specifically for movie making and movie presentations. Voki and Voki Classroom use talking avatars to communicate. You simply design your avatar and type what you’d like it to say. Voki is the closest tool to Blabberize.Tech Tip # 19 – Voki.com – John Conti
__http://Voki.com__
What it is:
Voki.com allows you to create customizable, talking avatars to post in websites and blogs. After you create a custom avatar, you can add your own voice, or a preset text-to-speech voice. A wide variety of worldwide accents are available; you can also enter text in a foreign language and have it spoken properly.
Unique characters can be created from stock images of people, cartoons, celebrities, animals, and politicians. The image can be customized by changing clothing, jewelry, backgrounds, and voice.
Finally, you can publish the Voki avatar on all the popular platforms for websites and blogs.
How it is used (how to create a Voki character):
Pros:
Easy and intuitive to use
Export to all the popular blog platforms
Fast/ 5 minutes for custom character
Text to speech is fast/easy
Different accent feature
Lesson Plans for ideas for use in the classroom
Teacher’s Corner Forum: http://forums.voki.com/forums/list.page
Cons:
Character limit text to speech is 600 (long speeches like Shakespeare can’t be used)
60 second limit on recording time
Customizing is limited (some characters have more options)
Phone feature for voice recording costs money (if you don’t have a microphone )
You can only use one avatar at a time
Voki in the classroom:
In the classroom, Voki can be used to improve participation, assist with text comprehension, or as a foreign language tool. The avatars can be used to test for comprehension. Students can create an avatar that represents the physical, intellectual, and emotional characteristics of a historical figure or character from a reading. The attributes that the student assigns will reveal their understanding of the inner and outer forces that shape the character.
Review of Similar Technologies/Competitors to Voki.com:
**__Gizmoz.com__**
Gizmos creates more realistic looking avatars than Voki; however, they do not speak. These avatars can morph into alien-looking creatures by changing ears noses etc. They can also change race or turn into a caricature.
**__Osoq.com__**
Osoq avatars are more primitive: more cartoon-like when compared to Voki. They look like line drawings and you can overlay text. They do not speak.
**__Meez.com__**
Meez offers cartoonish avatars that look like popular gaming figures; they offer a wide variety of costumes, but unlike Voki, the characters do not speak. There are animated characters that dance or perform; Meez characters would work well with a soundtrack behind them. Coins are required to save characters; you can earn free coins by signing up.
Tech Tip #21 – Jenn Schwartz and Megan Eline
Bitstrips for Educators
What is it?
“Bitstrips is an educational tool that engages students in a medium they love – comics!” – Bitstrips
This website allows teacher’s to create and assign classroom assignments that give their students the opportunity to show their knowledge of the class topic through the creation of a comic strip.
How does it work?
Once a teacher creates their bitstrips classroom, their students can join the class using the class code. The teacher can then assign assignments to their online class, through the creation of their own assignment or through the selection of an assignment from the assignment library. Once the students create their comic strip, it is made available to the teacher to then send back for revision, or to mark as complete and publish to the classroom gallery.
Pros
Cons
Using Bitstrips in the classroom:
Competitors:
Tech Tip #23 Sonja Bjorken, Michele Marouchoc
Audacity.com
What it is? Audacity is a free sound-editing program that can be downloaded from the Internet.
How it works: Download Audacity and begin recording your voice or material by clicking on the red circle, which will start recording, and speak into your microphone. Or upload an MP3 file to Audacity to edit. Below is a more detailed video explaining the functions of Audacity:
Pros:
-Free
-Fast download (compared to other audio editing programs)
-Great for slowing down authentic audio (foreign language majors)
-With most Windows and Linux audio devices, it is possible to record whatever sound the computer is currently playing, including internet radio streams.
-Audacity 1.3 Beta has a Timer Record feature to start and stop recording at a particular time
-Can mix or synchronize two tracks together (including voice and music)
-Can edit out voice for Karaoke
Cons:
-You need an installed copy of Audacity.com, a microphone, headphones, speakers, and internet access to use the program
-Can be confusing when you first use it (ex. changing speed also changes pitch, need to change tempo to change only the speed)
-Cannot distribute MP3 encoding software (have to use Zamzar, LAME, etc.)
-Audacity cannot import a track directly from an audio CD or convert iTunes files
-Depending on your operating system, sound card and version of downloaded Audacity, certain features may vary
Audacity in the Classroom:
-Podcasts (all subjects)
-Foreign language (authentic source and material)
-English projects (record voice with projects)
-Speech and ESL teachers (pronunciation and progress)
-Music class (record students singing or playing instruments-explain rhythm and sound waves)
-Math (teaching the dynamics of sound waves-harmony and dissonance)
Similar Technologies:
-Adobe Audition – pay
-Sweep is an audio editor and live playback tool for GNU/Linux, BSD and compatible systems – free
-AVS Audio Editor – free (long time to download compared to Audacity) – $39($69)/1 yr or $59($199)/unlimited (70% off through 10/31)
-Garageband – only on Macs
Ryan Palmer
Audioboo
It is a simple way of recording audio and saving audio data online.
Can be used by an iphone and computer, one records their desired boo about anything they´d like, publish it and show it to the world.
It is fast, easy and free! It can be used on any computer (unlike audacity), and it does not have to be downloaded
Sadly though one must have a microphone (unless they have a phone). Also if you want to record anything more than three minutes you must update your version to audiooboo plus, which allows you to record for 30 minutes, but you must pay about 70 dollars a year.
Audacity is the most similar program but it seems to be more technical and not as social